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Article published In:
Interpreting
Vol. 19:2 (2017) ► pp.186–208

Domain-specific activities in ASL-English interpreting and their relevance to expertise development

| Gallaudet University |

This exploratory mixed-methods study examined domain-specific activities practiced by expert American Sign Language (ASL)-English interpreters. Qualitative data was collected through interviews for initial identification of domain-specific activities, making it possible to establish a list of 19. Then, quantitative data was analyzed from responses to a questionnaire regarding five characteristics of the identified activities: (a) relevance to improvement; (b) requisite effort; (c) inherent enjoyment; (d) frequency; and (e) competence improvement goal. Of the 19 identified activities, four were rated as highly relevant to improvement of interpreting. Characteristics of the four activities were compared with the professional development activities recommended in the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID) Code of Professional Conduct (CPC), as well as with related domain-specific activities in other professions. Given their higher ratings, defining characteristics, and similarities to activities in other professions, the four activities identified could result in greater performance gains for ASL-English interpreters than the activities recommended in the CPC. The findings may serve to guide interpreters in selecting professional development activities and enhancing their interpreting performance.

Keywords: domain-specific activities, expert, professional development
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction
  • 2.Expertise in interpreting
  • 3.Domain-specific activities
  • 4.Methodology
    • 4.1Participants
    • 4.2Semi-structured interview protocol
    • 4.3Analysis of interview data
    • 4.4Rating questionnaire
    • 4.5Analysis of follow-up rating questionnaire
  • 5.Results
    • 5.1The four highly relevant expert interpreter activities
      • 5.1.1Monitoring, and being cognizant, aware, and focused while interpreting
      • 5.1.2Actively observing natural language (ASL or English), noting how it is used
      • 5.1.3Dialoguing with colleagues off the job (Deaf or hearing) regarding any of the following: language, interpreting, ethics, or decision-making
      • 5.1.4Receiving constructive, specific feedback
    • 5.2The five professional development activities recommended in the CPC
  • 6.Discussion
    • 6.1Domain-specific characteristics of the four highly relevant activities
      • 6.1.1Relevance
      • 6.1.2Effort
      • 6.1.3Enjoyment
      • 6.1.4Frequency
      • 6.1.5Competence improvement goal
    • 6.2Relevance to improvement: CPC-recommended and related expert interpreter activities, compared with the same activities in other specific domains
  • 7.Conclusion
  • Acknowledgements
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 4 December 2017
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/intp.19.2.02ada
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